The Domino Effect in South America
February 13: Argentina's Chamber of Deputies votes 203-42-4 — the first parliament in the world to say 'yes' to the EU-Mercosur deal. Thirteen days later, Uruguay and Argentina complete full ratification. The day before, Brazil's lower house approves.
Four countries. Four parliaments. Twelve days. The fastest ratification cascade in multilateral trade history.
The scoreboard
| Date | Country | Chamber | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb | Argentina | Chamber | 203-42-4 | Peronism split: 43 Unión por la Patria deputies voted yes |
| 25 Feb | Brazil | Câmara | Approved | Senator Tereza Cristina named rapporteur in Senate |
| 26 Feb | Uruguay | Chamber | 91-2 | Overwhelming majority |
| 26 Feb | Uruguay | Senate | Unanimous | Full ratification complete |
| 26 Feb | Argentina | Senate | 69-3 (3 abst.) | Full ratification complete |
| ~Mar | Paraguay | Congress | In progress | Ratification expected within days |
| ~Mar | Brazil | Senate | Pending | Tereza Cristina preparing report |
Uruguay — the broadest consensus
91 votes in favor, 2 against in the Cámara de Representantes. Senate — unanimous. No other Mercosur country achieved such a crushing majority.
For 3.5-million-strong Uruguay, the EU deal means access to 450 million consumers — proportionally the most transformative shift of all four countries. Meat, wool, rice and soy exports to Europe without tariff barriers.
Argentina — Peronism breaks ranks
What happened in the Argentine Congress would have been unthinkable a year ago. Milei's La Libertad Avanza, Macri's PRO, the UCR radicals — and 43 deputies from the Peronist Unión por la Patria. In the Senate: 69 for, 3 against.
Peronism, historically protectionist, is cracking on Mercosur. Some Peronist senators argued that closing markets is a luxury Argentina cannot afford with 120% inflation and a shrinking GDP.
Brazil — Chamber says yes, Senate awaits
Brazil's Câmara dos Deputados approved the deal on February 25 — two days before the Commission's provisional application announcement.
Senator Tereza Cristina (PP-MS), a former agriculture minister, was named rapporteur in the Senate. The Parliamentary Agricultural Front (FPA) raised concerns about safeguards for sensitive sectors. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin assured lawmakers that protective decrees would be published before the Senate vote.
The numbers for Brazil, per government estimates: the deal would boost GDP by 0.34% (R$37 billion) and exports by 2.65%. The EU commits to eliminating tariffs on 95% of Mercosur goods within 12 years (Mercosur, in turn, will open its market to 91% of EU goods over 15 years).
Paraguay — the final piece
Paraguay — host of the signing ceremony in Asunción on January 17 — is the last Mercosur country without completed ratification. Congress is analyzing the text. Ratification expected in March.
Why so fast?
Two factors. First — the US-Argentina trade pact of February 5-6. Trump and Milei slashing tariffs bilaterally raised fears about the future of Mercosur's common external tariff. Fast ratification of the EU deal sends a signal: the bloc stands united.
Second — the political window. Milei has a majority in Argentina. Lula is mobilizing a coalition in Brazil. Waiting risks shifts in political configurations.
The result: four parliaments in 12 days gave the European Commission exactly what it needed to launch provisional application.
Sources: El País (26 Feb 2026), MercoPress (26 Feb 2026), Reuters (25 Feb 2026), Agência Brasil (25 Feb 2026), Infobae (26 Feb 2026), O Povo (25-27 Feb 2026). Agreement: Art. 23.2.
“This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which they have notified each other in writing of the completion of their respective internal procedures required for this purpose.”
— Chapter 23 - General and Final Provisions, Article 23.2